Lauren Christian Pork Chop Open Scheduled for July 20

The Lauren Christian Pork Chop Open is planned for July 20 at Veenker Memorial Golf Course in Ames, IA

May 14, 2010

The Lauren Christian Pork Chop Open is planned for July 20 at Veenker Memorial Golf Course in Ames, IA.

The annual event benefits the Lauren L. Christian Endowment, which provides financial support for outstanding undergraduate and graduate students and continued swine and pork educational opportunities through Iowa State University (ISU).

Christian was recognized internationally as an expert in swine genetics and was the first director of the Iowa Pork Industry Center (IPIC) at ISU. He served as an ISU faculty member for 33 years and was also a consultant for private and corporate firms involved in swine production.

The 18-hole best ball golf tournament begins with a shotgun start at 10 a.m. and includes lunch at the golf course. Following the tournament, players and others are invited to attend a reception, pork meal and awards program at the Farm Bureau Pavilion at Kildee Hall on the ISU campus. Winners of the Lauren Christian undergraduate and graduate scholarships for 2010 will be honored. New this year, bids will be accepted on a variety of items during a silent auction.

The cost of the tournament and associated activities is $85 per person or $340 for a four-person team. Those wishing to attend only the reception, dinner and auction may register for $25 per person. The golf registration deadline is July 6 or when the field of 32 teams is filled. Those registering for the entire day are asked to indicate whether they plan to stay for the evening meal.

The event is a way to bring together those who knew and admired Christian, according to IPIC Director John Mabry, former student of Christian.

“Lauren was a great teacher and mentor, and the Lauren Christian Pork Chop Open provides a social occasion for people to remember him and help increase the Lauren Christian endowment fund at ISU,” Mabry says.